Lewis legislators name Swearingin county manager

LOWVILLE  After nearly 10 months, two failed rounds of applicants and the seating of a largely new legislative board, Lewis County legislators have selected a county manager.

Elizabeth Swearingin was selected from a pool of 25 candidates. The Board of Legislators reached the informal decision in executive session Thursday.

Mrs. Swearingin is the director of business strategy and operations at CYCLE Kids, a nonprofit agency in Cambridge, Mass., dedicated to physical and mental health issues of children. Her previous experiences included management in the steel and aviation fields.

Mrs. Swearingin was employed by ICF International, New York City, as a principal in the Aviation and Aerospace Consulting Division, where she was responsible for business development and customer satisfaction in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul operations.

She has also worked for the fifth largest steel producer, US Steel, as general manager, corporate supply chain-customer service in Pittsburgh, where she led North American order management and customer service. She spent 16 years with U.S. Airways as managing director of supply chain, planning and finance. She also worked for two software companies in aviation and workforce management.

First, Im honored by the support of the Lewis County legislators. I hope my years of business experience will benefit the county, Mrs. Swearingin said in a news release. I am personally very excited about this opportunity, and I look forward to meeting everyone.

Board of Legislators Chairman Michael A. Tabolt, R-Croghan, has filled in as county manager since the retirement of David H. Pendergast in April 2013.

In that role, he said, he certainly developed a greater appreciation for what the job entails: most importantly, working with people and supporting those around you.

These are qualities we recognized in Liz, he said.

I am very pleased with the boards selection. I think Mrs. Swearingin will bring a much-needed new perspective to us and prove to be an asset to both the board and the county, Legislator Philip C. Hathway, R-Harrisville, said. I am also proud that after reviewing many applications and conducting several interviews, the board felt that the best candidates for two of our key positions were females.

Earlier this month, legislators named Joan E. McNichol to replace Richard J. Graham as county attorney.

Mrs. Swearingin obtained her masters degree in business administration from Babson College, Wellesley, Mass., and her bachelors degree from Tufts University, Medford, Mass.

She has served as a member of Citizens for Reform of Allegheny County Government, is a volunteer for the Quaker Valley Hockey Association and is a member of the Pittsburgh Womens Shelter board. She enjoys reading, theater, canoeing and traveling.

She and her husband, Mark, have been residents of Brantingham for three years.

Legislators expect to officially appoint Mrs. Swearingin at the March 4 board meeting, with an anticipated start date of March 31.

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